Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald tells WESA's Kevin Gavin it's important that the new state Democratic leader reach out to younger voters in the 2018 election season.

Democrats across Pennsylvania have a new party leader. Nancy Patton Mills was elected Saturday as chairwoman of the State Democratic Committee as candidates are gearing up for critical races for governor, U.S. Senate, Congress and the state legislature.

Members of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee will choose their party leaders on June 9. And whether they vote for current county chair Nancy Patton Mills or challenger Eileen Kelly, this may be the last time they choose by secret ballot.

For a while, in fact, it appeared committee members wouldn’t be allowed to vote in secret this time, either.